A/N: This story is co-authored by PirateZoro-san. Check out her other story "I'm Not Losing You Again" as well!

Chapter 1

Meeting One Direction

Julie squinted at the clock, gently balancing herself on her toes. She set herself back down and cleared her throat loudly to gain the attention of the girl beside her that was dazing off.

"You would've expected your best friend to at least listen," she remarked, pulling the taller girl's cheeks.

After a moment, Julie clapped her hands in front of her friend's face. "Josie!" she called.

Josie turned and faced her with a bright smile. "Yeah?" she replied rather innocently. Oh, how Julie wished she wasn't an airhead at times.

"Ok, man," Julie started explaining, "it's 1:20 PM, we're getting hungr― Josie, listen to me!" She sighed and waved her hand in front of her face. "Plans on where to eat for lunch?"

Josie gave her a weird stare, like Julie had screamed 'unicorns' or something. "LOUIS TOMLINSON," she pointed out with emphasis," is sitting right THERE, no less than five people away, and you're dreaming about fo―" Her stomach gurgled. Before Julie could rebut, Josie held up a finger. "...Perhaps I should eat the carrots I packed?"

Julie sighed, starting to wonder like she always did why she had befriended such a person. Then something caught her attention. She started tugging at Josie's sleeve. "One more person, one more per― ZAYN!" Perhaps she had said his name too loudly, because he looked up from what he was signing and briefly glanced at her.

Josie chuckled. "You're hyperventilating, you know."

Julie smacked her on the shoulder, embarrassed. "Oh, shut up!" The girl before them moved on to Niall, leaving Julie the best gift she could've wished for―the presence of someone she considered to be heavenly.

She swore she was sweating through her sundress. Mentally, she started beating herself up, telling herself to stay calm...calm... "Hi." She gave him a shy smile.

"Vas Happenin'?" Zayn replied playfully.

Julie was starstruck, on the inside of course. She didn't want to annoy Harry who sat two seats away since he disliked squeals. "Nice hat," she complimented, eyeing his charcoal grey hat which had a hot pink band attached.

What Zayn Malik had done next completely took Julie by surprise. He looked down, smiled, and looked back up. By any chance, did he think she was cute? Zayn took off his hat and handed it to her. "Take it," he said with a wink.

At first, Julie just stared in silence, and then her eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

Behind her she could hear her friend hooting quietly. Ah, typical Josie.

Zayn grinned. "Yeah, I've got loads of hats already."

"W-wow, thanks!"

"Alrighty, so what's your―"

"Julie!"

Zayn smirked. "Actually, I was wondering," he tapped his pen a few times on the desk, "if you would mind passing me your phone number."

Again, Julie's eyebrows shot up. How many surprises could she take? Josie's hooting started transforming into "aww"s. Julie searched through her bag until she found a pen and a notepad. She quickly wrote down her name, email, Twitter, and phone number. She ripped off the piece of paper and handed it to Zayn. He took it and slipped it discreetly in his pocket, dashing his eyes from left to right suspiciously. He wrote something on Julie's signing book and signed it with a flourish. He passed it back to Julie and gave her a hug. She inhaled the smell of his cologne, wanting to stay in this moment forever, and regrettably pulled away from him. He saw her expression and laughed.

"You'll most likely be seeing me sometime soon, don't worry," he murmured and squeezed her hand. He let it go and turned his gaze to Josie. She turned to the right to Niall while eavesdropping on Josie and Zayn's conversation.

Josie tucked some hair behind her ears and handed him her signing book. "'Sup, Zayn," she greeted.

"Vas Happenin'?"

"Hey, um, look, Julie's my best friend and I just want you to know she really loves you. I think you'd really like her," Josie explained. Julie hid a smile.

He chuckled. "I guess I already do."

Julie felt her heart swell like a balloon as she realized Niall was still waiting for her to say something.

"Are you alright?" he spoke with his Irish accent.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was thinking about...something." She darted a sideways glance at Zayn.

Niall noticed. "Ah, you were thinking about Zayn, weren't you?" He looked down at the book and turned to the page Zayn autographed and laughed.

"What?" Julie asked. She tried to read his words upside down but failed.

"He said, 'Julie, you're turning heads when you walk through the door. Pretty dress. Anyone tell you that? Zayn.' So, Julie's the name?"

She grinned at the little note and said, "Yeah."

He autographed the page and handed it back, saluting her. "Best of luck to you."

"Thanks." She smiled at him before moving on to Liam.

"Hi. How're you?" Liam said quietly but amiably. He did his famous "1-2-3 Flick" and took in Julie's signing book.

"I'm great, thanks. I just met Zayn," Julie sighed before looking guiltily at Liam. "Sorry."

He smiled and waved his free hand. "Nah, it's okay. So, what's your name?"

"My name's Julie."

"Okay. By the way, nice hat." He winked at her.

She giggled. "It's Zayn's."

"Aw, I knew it, you lucky girl! I've been hankering after that hat since he bought it...oh well. Hope you and Zayn get together," he said and winked at her. She grinned and slid over to Harry, her attention on his hair.

"Hi, Harry. I'm Julie."

"Oh, hi. How'd you like meeting Zayn?" he asked as he autographed the book, putting a small star at the bottom of his signature.

"What?"

He grinned at her. "I've known him for two years already. If he hasn't already asked for your number he's acting strange today."

Julie blushed. "Wow, do you think he'd really like me?"

"Of course! Lovely girl like you, why not? Not to mention, you're cute." He winked at her. Out the corner of her eye, Julie saw Zayn watching them with a look on his face. She suppressed a laugh as she moved on to Louis. Oh, Josie must be dying to see this guy.

"Hello, Louis!" she greeted.

He looked up and gave her his signature grin. "Hi, what's your name?"

"Julie." She waited for Louis to finish autographing her book and then tapped the desk to gain his attention. Julie glanced at Josie and decided to return the favor. "Hey, listen, see that girl who's with Harry right now?"

Louis followed her eyes and stared at Josie and laughed. "You mean the one that's obviously focusing on Curly's hair and surprisingly not his face?"

"Yep." Julie bit her lip before continuing. "She is a huge fan of yours. She's pretty much like your never-before-seen twin. You love carrots, she likes almost every vegetable, you both love joking around and practical jokes, et cetera...so..."

Louis perked up, his grin widening. "Really?"

"Yup. I think you two will really hit it off."

"Yay! Okay, hug?" he offered.

She shrugged. "I would, but I'd rather let my friend do that," she laughed and walked to the side to wait for Josie.

Josie finally finished with Harry and introduced herself to Louis.

"Hi, Louis. I'm Josie," she said, grinning. The airhead was obviously blushing, since she saw Louis as the most dazzling man on Earth. Apparently her hair had untucked itself mysteriously after her meet with Harry Styles...his hair must've influenced hers. She couldn't believe her eyes. Louis Tomlinson was sitting in front of her. Right THERE.

"Here, I hope you're hungry," she smiled and pulled an opened bag of baby carrots out of her bag. She set it down on the table in front of him and his eyes grew wide.

"Carrots! I like you already," he said, giving her a sweet smile.

"Sorry, I got hungry and ate some during my wait."

"That line is long as hell, isn't it?"

Josie rolled her eyes. She was getting comfortable talking with Louis. "Yeah, but I've seen worse in China," she laughed.

Louis grinned. He was amused by this girl. "May I have your number?"

Josie looked shocked at how easily that happened, then she looked at Julie. She pulled out the notepad and pen again and passed them to Josie. She scribbled down her Facebook, Twitter, and then her number and gave the notepad to Louis.

"Thanks, I'll keep it, yeah?" he said and Julie chuckled. He wrote a few words on a page of Josie's copy of One Direction's book and gave it back to her. She took it, thanked him, and hugged him. They both lingered for a moment until the fan next to her flipped her blond tresses and cleared her throat. Josie broke away, giving the fan an annoyed look, then walked away.

"That was pretty creepy, you know," Josie told Julie.

Julie looked up in puzzlement. "What was?"

"You sucking up Zayn's cologne..."

"Oh, shut it!" She smacked her friend's shoulder.

"What'd he write?" Josie asked Julie, giving her a hug of excitement.

"Apparently I turn heads when I walk through the door," Julie replied with pride.

Josie cracked open her signing book. "I've tried playing it cool, but when I'm looking at y― oh what the hell! See you soon― Louis x."

"Awww!" said Julie as they squeezed through the unbelievably big crowd and escaped through the grand doors.

"I know right?" Josie was exclaiming as they walked out. "And THEY BOTH HAVE OUR NUMBERS!"

"Well...and my Twitter. And email address," Julie admitted.

Josie shook her head. "Oh, Julie..."

She shrugged in reply. "You're telling me you only wrote your name and number on that notepad?"

Josie didn't answer as they hailed a cab back to the apartment they shared because they were not going to college. Julie wanted to be an actress and Josie wanted to be a singer, so they decided to live together and support each other. Now, technically, they were both supposed to be at school, but they decided their Senior Ditch Day would be today because of the signing.

They arrived in fifteen minutes back at home and paid the driver. They got out and took the elevator upstairs, discussing their lunch.

"Okay, what should we eat?" asked Julie, hoping Josie would pay attention to her topic on lunch the second time.

Josie blinked blankly before answering. She clapped her hands together. "Ooh! Let's order meatball subs! With marinara sauce!" exclaimed Josie.

Julie sighed, facepalming. Josie was the older one but often acted like the younger sibling. What had Julie ever done to have herself end up living with an idiot? "That's the third time this week..." Julie spoke slowly, hoping for Josie to see sense.

"Because it's awesome! C'mon, you know you want it..." coaxed Josie.

"Ah, screw it, fine," Julie conceded. She hate arguing with Josie.

"Yayy!" squealed the older one and she bounded out of the elevator which had reached the seventh floor.

Julie pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. They walked in and Josie ran to the bathroom, telling Julie that she was too sweaty from their 'magical meetings'. Julie shook her head and dialed Subway's number.

"Hello, I'd like to order two meatball subs with marinara sauce, please..." she said into her phone and giving the person her address and such. "...um, yes, sure, half an hour! Bye." She hung up and walked to her room in search of her wallet. Julie cracked it open and took out a sufficient amount of money.

In the distance she heard her ringtone, and calmly walked out. Julie peered at the number. It was unfamiliar. She put it on speakerphone and said, "Hello?"

"Vas Happenin'?" greeted Zayn cheerfully.

Julie halted dead in her tracks, tilting her head at the phone. For a few seconds she stayed calm, her mind running around in circles to piece together itself. Then the fact that Zayn Malik had called her finally registered itself into her mind, and her mind almost blew up. Her eyes widened.

"Hello?" Zayn called. Julie could imagine him arching a puzzled eyebrow.

A pretentious cough was heard from beside Zayn. "Dude, we can hear you breathing," commented Louis.

Shit, thought Julie. She could feel the sweat coming to her hands. "Sorry, I'm just amazed you called."

And it was then the boys' turn to remain silent. Julie began debating with herself over whether or not she should say hello. She shrugged and let it be.

"Well, of course I did! I asked for your number, didn't I?" replied Zayn, sounding surprised. "Anyway, I was thinking..." his voice suddenly grew shy. "...would you go out with me on Saturday?"

Louis was heard making girly "awww"s in the background. His voice broke into laughter.

Julie was shocked but nodded before realizing they couldn't see her. "Um, yeah, okay! Wait, let's double with Louis and Josie," she suggested.

She could almost picture Louis' face brightening. "Sure, why not?" A shuffling of stuff was heard through the phone before Louis let out a triumphant "ah." He had seemingly found his iPhone. "I'll call her now..."

"Julie, which pair?" Josie asked just as Louis was heard tapping in her number. Julie looked over and her eyes bugged out as she realized Josie was talking about underwear.

"Josie, Zayn and Lo―"

The older girl quickly cut her off. "Wait, phone's ringing..." She grabbed her iPhone, swiped her finger across the screen and held the phone to her ear. "'Ello?"

"What's this talk about pears I've been hearing about?" Louis asked.

Josie's face lit up more than it already had. A grin crossed her face. "I think both pairs are quite cute."

"Josie?" Julie almost shrieked.

"I didn't exactly catch what she was getting at," said Louis. This time, he had moved back to Zayn's phone to direct the statement to Julie. "Fruit can be cute?"

Julie released a small sigh from her lips. Josie walked over to Julie's phone and said casually, "Louis, which sounds better, panties with bears or plain blue with yellow stripes?"

Louis started laughing so hard he sounded like he was about to bust a lung. "You meant THAT?" Zayn just stuttered a bunch of awkward "er"s.

"Oh my god, Josie!" hissed Julie.

"What?" she replied innocently.

"Life never fails to be boring with you here with me every second of the day. Not to mention, today you discussed panty prints in front of Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik," groaned Julie.

Josie grinned and gave her a bear hug. "I know. But you still love me."

"I know I do," she said and pinched her cheek. "And I'm doubting my sanity."

"So, Louis, what do you think?" asked Josie and Julie facepalmed.

"The stripes! Stripes be sexaayyy," he said in a pirate's voice while still laughing.

"Okay!" she said and went to the bathroom to put on the rest of her clothes.

"You felt cheated on when I wore stripes..." muttered Zayn.

"That's because you haven't got boobs. Or...do you?" asked Louis cheekily.

Julie heard a smack. "Shut up, I don't. So where to for the date?"

"UMMY YUMMY!" Louis blurted out just as Josie had re-entered the room.

"Ummy—what?" repeated Julie while Josie fell on the floor, laughing.

"It's a great restaurant we discovered when we snuck out of our hotel last week," elaborated Zayn. "So, we set? We'll pick you up at seven on Saturday?"

"Yeah, sure. See you then! I'll text you our address!" called Julie and hung up, eyes sparkling like a child's upon seeing a present. She typed in their address and sent it to Zayn.

"Ahahahaaaa..." Josie laughed. The room grew quiet for a moment, and just as Julie was about to help her off the floor, the doorbell rang. She opened the door to see a Subway delivery man.

"Um, why is she on the floor?" he asked interestedly.

Julie's face flushed and she didn't answer. She shoved five bucks into his hand and took the sandwiches. "Thanks. Bye!" she called before quickly shutting the door.

"Josie, food's here, if you're not too busy laughing to eat."

Josie scrambled off the floor and grabbed a sandwich. She tore the paper off and bit into it, sighing in bliss. Julie just shook her head at her best friend and sat down to eat as well.

A/N: I hope you liked it! Review, please :D